Early Warning Siren System

Roger Williams University has installed an outdoor Emergency Siren Warning System (ESWS) on its main campus. The system consists of four strategically placed sirens that will be used to warn the University community in the event of a potentially life threatening emergency.

If a potentially life threatening emergency is identified where a campus wide ESWS activation is necessary, the Department of Public Safety will activate the system. The activation will consist of an alert tone and a voice message regarding the nature of the emergency. Additionally the University will utilize Roger Williams University's website and ConnectEd notification system to provide further information via internet, telephone, email, and text messaging.

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors who hear the siren should seek shelter by immediately going inside a nearby building unless directed otherwise via emergency public address message. The system will be used to alert people to go indoors / shelter-in-place and seek additional information by doing the following:

Limit non-emergency outgoing communications so as not to overburden the phone system

Once an emergency has been resolved the ESWS and other communication methods will be utilized to inform people that the emergency is over.
Examples of emergencies where the ESWS would likely be activated include:

Hostile Intruder (Active Shooter)

Large Chemical Release near Campus

Natural Disasters (Tornado / Sudden Lightening Storm)

Additional Information

System tests will be advertised at this website and will be announced in advance. When the system is activated for a test, no action is necessary and there is no need to seek shelter. Sirens will be tested at least annually to ensure operational readiness. Test schedules will be announced in advance and posted on the ESWS webpage.

Although the sirens will be loudest within the limits of campus, close proximity neighbors will be able to hear the warning system. For this reason, the University has corresponded with surrounding neighbors of the main campus to ensure that people are aware of the new warning system and have an opportunity to ask questions.